Automatic window washer



Oct. -2, 1951 F. G. HOLMES 1 2,559,635

AUTOMATIC wmnow WASHER Filed Jan. 51, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FRANK G HOLMES Oct. 2, 1951 HOLMES 2,569,635

AUTOMATIC WINDOW WASHER Filed Jan. 51, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 2, 1951 Frank Grooms Holines, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,499

, Claims. (Cl. 15-251) This invention relates in general to window washing equipment and in particular to an automatic window washer.

It is an object of the invention to provide an automatic window washer to remove dirt and 51 the like fromwindows with a minimum of work.

It is another object of the invention to provide a window washer which is adapted to be secured adjacent to a window and which operates to clean the window easily and thoroughly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a window washer comprising at least one moistening member and at least one cleaning member adapted to be operably positioned adjacent to a window surface.

Additional objects of the invention as well as its construction, use, and operation will in part be obvious and will in part become apparent from the following disclosure.

erence will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a window with a window cleaner according to this invention positioned thereon.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the window cleaner shown in Fig. 1. a

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the article shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the blade members of the article shown in the previous figures.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the articles shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a side cross section of the article shown in Fig. 5, taken along the line 6-6.

Fig. 7 is a similar View of the article in the released position. I

Fig. 8 is a side cross section of the article shown in Fig. 5, taken along the line 8-8.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the release members of the article shown in the previous figures.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the release catch cooperating with the article shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective fragmentary view of the holding frame for the wiper members shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is a top cross section of the article shown in Fig. 11 taken along the line l2-l2.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, ref- Fig. 13 is a top cross section of the article shown in Fig. 11, taken along the line |3|3.

Fig. 14 is a variation of the structure of Fig. 12.

Referring to the figures in detail, there is shown in Fig. 1 an automatic window washer generally designated 20 mounted in a window frame 2|, with a wiping member (shown in the following figures) bearing against the window pane 22. The window Washer 20 is so positioned that the window is thoroughly and easily cleaned when the window is first raised and then lowered, causing the window pane to move relative to th wiping member.

The window washer 20 is shown in position for cleaning the lower window. In dot and dash lines 20 in Fig. 1, a similar washer is shown in 'it is mounted between the parallel surfaces of the window sash. The body 23 is generally elongated, extending substantially the width of a window pane, and is adapted to receive and mount the wiping members 25 which are positioned on a frame 26 mounted on body 23. A releasemechanism 2! is mounted in the body 23 for retaining the wiping members in a retracted position with relation to the window pane.

The Wiper members shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7 comprise at least one squeegee member 28 and at least one moistening member 29 mounted on short wide arms 39 extending substantially across the body 23 of the washer 20 and projecting a short distance therefrom. The squeegee member 28 and the moistening member 29 are mounted on the arms by means of glue or similar adhesive, or alternatively by means of nails or the like, in either case optionally having a spring support 3| at either end to increase the strength of the mounting and to prevent undue bending of' the members at their ends. This spring support 3| may satisfactorily be mounted on one arm 30 and positioned to bear against the member 28 or 29 on the adjacent arm.

The four arms 30 are positioned at right angles to one another. These arms are mounted on a rotatable rod or" axle 32 which in turn is mounted in frame members 26 at either end of the device.

On three of the arms are mounted felt strips or the like, which serve as moistening members 29. On the fourth arm is mounted a rubber strip or the like, which is the squeegee member 28.

In Figs. 11 to 13 is shown the mounting of the wiper member 25 in the frame 26. At one end there is a frame member 26 which has a recess 34 in its surface facing the wiper member 25. Rod 32 is adapted to rotatably fit in the recess 34. At the other end is a frame member 26' having a hole or opening therein, through which rod 32 passes, extending slightly therebeyond. In the head 32 of this rod there is a series of openings 36,, in line with the several arms 30 mounted on the rod. A sliding catch 33, mounted in a projecting collar 35 on the outer surface of frame member 26 is sitioned to engage these holes 36. Thus any :one -;of the arms 30 may be brought into an operating position, and may be secured there by means of catch 33.

Figs. 6 to 10 illustrate the operation .of the release mechanism 21 by means of which the wiper members are retained out of engagement with the respective window pane. Frame members 26 are mounted on across bar 31 which is positioned along the front edge of bod-y 23 and which is adapted to be slid away from the edge .(see Fig. 25).. .A :pair of .coil springs 3.8 are mounted on cross bar :31 (see Fig. 19) and extend into the body 23., bearing against .the body and urging the cross bar :away therefrom. If :desired, a rod 1-38 :may be positioned within coil spring 28 to retain it in the proper direction.

.Also mounted on the cross bar 31 and extending backwards therefrom are two posts 89 between which is mounted a catch bar 40. This catch bar is positioned within the body 23 and is releasablysecured therein retained in a retracted position by .rnea-ns of a catch member :4l (see Fig. 10), which comprises a plate having a hook 41 along one edge. When catch member 4| releases catch .bar 40, springs 38 cause the cross bar .31, and with it the wiper member 25,, to be extended from the body 23 to bear against the window pane 2.2 (refer to Figs. .6 and 7).

Figs. .6 and 7 show theoperation of the release mechanism, and its positioning within the body 23 of the washer. Cross bar 31 is mounted along the front edge of the body 23, with catch .bar 4.0 positioned within the body and parallel therewith. Catch member 4| is mounted within the body 23 and releasably engages the catch bar 40. Springs '38 exert a constant outward force against the cross bar. A release plate 42 is pivotally mounted within the body 23 with a release cord 43 or the like extending from one end thereof, out through the body. When this release cord is pulled, plate 42 is pivoted, and catch member 41 is raised. Accordingly, catch bar 40 is released and cross bar 31 is caused to move away from the body 23. Fig. 6 shows the position of parts before release; Fig. "I shows "the position of parts after release with the moistening member 29 engaging the window pane 22.

'In Fig. 8 is shown the mounting of the T- shaped arms 24 which fix the body 23 in position in the window frame 21 (refer also to Fig. Arm 2-4 is mounted across the end .of a rod 44 which extends into the body 23 of the window washer 20. A spring 45 is mounted at the end of rod 44 and cooperates with the body '23 to force the rod 44 and arm 24 outward. The arm .24 has at least its outer surface constructed of a friction material such as, for example, rubber or the like, and preferably is constructed entirely of that material, so that a long Wearin surface may be formed.

It will be understood that numerous variations and modifications may be made in the design and construction of the device according to the invention without departing from the scope thereof, and that such variations will, in general, be obvious to those skilled in the art.

For example, in Fig. 14 there is shown a variation in the mounting of rod 32 on frame 26, wherein a bar or handle 48 is positioned on the end or cap 32* of the rod, whereby the rod is readily rotated 'to bring the desired member 28 or 29 into position adjacent to the window pane (refer to Fig. 7). Other variations in minor detail and :general design will likewise be ap-- parent.

While 1 have illustrated and described the preferned embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications "coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters "Patent is:

'1. A window washing device comprising a hollowbody for mounting in'the frame of a window and having an open side to face the window pane, a frame for a window pane wiping member slidably positioned in said body and a portion projecting from the open side of said body, a window wiping member mounted on the portion of :said frame which projects from the open side of said hollow body, resilient means within said body urging said frame into an extended position 'for engaging .said wiping member with the window tpane, a catch rbar mounted .on :said frame within said body, and manually operable release mechanism engaging said catch bar for holding said tfmame retracted into said body against the action {of said resilient means to retain .sa'id wipmember out of contact with the window pane, said release mechanism comprising a re- :silien-t catch member having :one end fixedly mounted within said body, a hook formed on the other end of said catch member and engaging said catch bar, :and means for flexing said patch "member to disengage said hook from said caztch bar freeing .said frame to be extended by said resilient means.

.2. Awindow washing-device comprising a hollow body for mounting in the frame of a window and having an open :side :to face :the window pane, a frame for a window pane wiping member slidably positioned :in said body and a portion projecting from the open side of said body, a window wiping member mounted on the portion of said frame which projects from the open side of said hollow body, resilient means within said body eurgi'ng said frame into an extended position for engaging said wiping member with the window pane, a catch bar mounted on said frame within said body, and manually operable release mechanism engaging said catch bar for holding said frame retracted into said "body against the action of said resilient means to retain said wiping member out of contact with the window pane, said release mechanism comprising a resilient catch member having one end fixedly mounted within said body, a hook formed on the other end of said catch member and engaging said catch bar, and means for flexing said catch member to disengage said hook from said catch her freeing said frame to be extended by said resilient means, said flexing means comprising a plate pivotally mounted within said body and having one end engaging said catch member and its other end projected from said body, and a string attached to said other end of said plate to be pulled for pivoting said plate which in turn flexes said catch member.

3. A window washing device comprising a hollow body for mounting in the frame of a window and having an open side to face the window pane, a frame for a window pane wiping member slidably positioned in said body and a portion projecting from the open side of said body, a window wiping member mounted on the portion of said frame which projects from the open side of said hollow body, resilient means within said body urging said frame into an extended position for engaging said wiping member with the window pane, a catch bar mounted on said frame within said body, and manually operable release mechanism engaging said catch bar for holding said frame retracted into said body against the action of said resilient means to retain said Wiping member out of contact with the window pane, said portion of said frame which projects from the open side of said body, comprising laterally spaced frame members, said wiping member comprising a rod rotatively mounted between said frame members, a plurality of arms projecting radially from said rod between said frame members and having cleaning members mounted on the outer ends thereof, and means for holding said wiping member in a desired rotative position relative to said frame members in which a desired cleaning member will be extended toward the window pane.

4. A window washing device comprising a hollow body for mounting in the frame of a window and having an open side to face the window pane, a frame for a window pane wiping member slidably positioned in said body and a portion projecting from the open side of said body, a window wiping member mounted on the portion of said frame which projects from the open side of said hollow body, resilient means within said body urging said frame into an extended position for engaging said wiping member with the window pane, a catch bar mounted on said frame within said body, and manually operable release mechanism engaging said catch bar for holding said frame retracted into said body against the action of said resilient means to retain said wiping member out of contact with the window pane, said portion of said frame which projects from the open side of said body, comprising laterally spaced frame members, said wiping member comprising a rod rotatively mounted between said frame members, a plurality of arms projecting radially from said rod between said frame members and having cleaning members mounted on the outer ends thereof, and means for holding said wiping member in a desired rotative position relative to said frame members in which a desired cleaning member will be extended toward the window pane, said holding means comprising an enlarged head formed on one end of said rod and formed in its periphery with a plurality of openings spaced in agreement with the spacing of said arms, and a catch slidably mounted on the frame member adjacent the end of said rod formed with said head and selectively engageable with said openings holding said wiping member in a desired rotative position.

5. A window washing device comprising a hollow body for mounting in the frame of a window and having an open side to face the window pane, a frame for a window pane wiping member slidably positioned in said body and a portion projecting from the open side of said body, a window wiping member mounted on the portion of said frame which projects from the open side of said hollow body, resilient means within said body urging said frame into an extended position for engaging said wiping member with the window pane, a catch bar mounted on said frame within said body, and manually operable release mechanism engaging said catch bar for holding said frame retracted into said body against the action of said resilient means to retain said wiping member out of contact with the window pane, said portion of said frame which projects from the open side of said body, comprising laterally spaced frame members, said Wiping member comprising a rod rotatively mounted between said frame members, a plurality of arms projecting radially from said rod between said frame members and having cleaning members mounted on the outer ends thereof, and means for holding said wiping member in a desired rotative position relative to said frame members in which a desired cleaning member will be extended toward the window pane, said holding means comprising an enlarged head formed on one end of said rod and formed in its periphery with a plurality of openings spaced in agreement with the spacing of said arms, and a catch slidably mounted on the frame member adjacent the end of said rod formed with said head and selectively engageable with said openings holding said wiping member in a desired rotative position, and a radially projecting handle formed on said head by which said rod can be turned when said catch is disengaged from the openings in said head.

FRANK GROOMS HOLMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num -er Name Date 612,896 Dunn Oct. 25, 1898 1,045,345 Wetherell Nov. 26, 1912 1,120,094 Shipley Dec. 8, 1914 1,232,815 Lapedes July 10, 1917 1,628,669 Hunter et a1. May 17, 1927 

